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I think that THAT is a HUGE part of the reason the state has resisted re-trying this case and fighting it tooth and nail. It is going to cost some big bucks.

I have always felt that it has a great deal to do with it.... Trouble is, the average citizen still believes in truth justice and the 'american' way - right? Like aussies over here still sadly believe in, decent pay for an honest hard days work. Yeah - right, that let the baby out with the bath water!

I have had 'dealings' with various Government Departments over the years, and i know for a damn fact that, predominantely they never admit to being wrong as it opens up the flood gates.

Anything is fought tooth and nail, and anything that can be hushed up and swept under the carpet and settling out of court with the condition of never speaking about the incident etc.. is agreed and signed upon - simple. anything more, opens up cans of worms, especially of a Political nature and taints the impression, whatever the Government Department. It's all 'busines' at the end of the day, and although it is accountable, there are many 'things' available to lessen the blame, cast blame, and inevitably find excuse. In the end, the poor cannot afford to pursue such 'actions', particularly as the welfare legal system refuses to represent anyone fighting against any alleged 'injustice', against a Government Department. Privately, legal redress is attainable, but again, if the funds are accessable. I have been involved in issues that have dragged on for years, eventually the person/family, going broke and closure still not being found!

Usually what happens in such issues, is someone less valued, is the 'fall guy' and is offered up as some sort of satisfaction, in an 'investigation'. This leaves the more valued players still available to be utilised by that Government Department. Careers are made in this way, as for every action there is a reaction.

And for that matter, don't for once even think that a Government Department aren't above 'threatening' neither! In a serious case of educational neglect i was involved in, a student represented by his Mother, brought a claim against the Educational Body which dragged on over 6 years. Due process was being followed, and right on the eleventh hour of appearing in Supreme Court the very real threat came through, via their Solicitors. And yes, this threat the department was legally entitled to give. The threat was, that if you do not drop this case against the Department (it was a important 'test case' for the entire of Austraila, which the Commonwealth Ombudsman was eagerly watching, the anti-discrimination Commission, and the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commision, which would have set a massive precident for 'others' to follow), we will follow your son and obtain from him, all our expenses and costs incurred as a result of this action, his entire working life. In other words, the Mother (adult) wasn't going to be financially harmed and stalked, her child was. Imagine her horror when all she was fighting for was the wrongs done against her son, trying to better his educational resources and his access to them, and wasn't even interested in any 'pay out'. The Government Department knew, that the very moment they admitted any wrong doing, direct or indirect, the flood gates would be open, as the precident would then be set for others to follow - payouts could then be sort for damages with most serious costs incured to this Department. So much for the 'accountability factor'!

The Mother was forced to withdraw her application, due to the love, protection and future best interests of her son, who by this stage had now turned almost 17. She did not want to complicate his life any further, nor did she want him to be held accountable in the event this test case of most serious importance, was lost in court. (She had already been paying for private tutors, on top of schooling for her son, as well as paying for his attendance at extra educational courses in order to develop the areas he needed the assistance in).
Although her withdrawal under duress stopped the court case from progressing, many changes were systematically made in regards to serious issues raised in this sad case, and much more training was given to staff, various Policies and Proceedures were introduced and the Legislation regarding discrimination and educational institutions was re-vamped. Her name became well known within those 'in the know' and that particular department. Her son went onto to bigger and much better things, thanks to his persistance in bettering himself and striving to fulfill his dreams of one day, not only working with computers but owning the entire operation and negotiating and networking with the likes of Microsoft and overseas 'partners' of the various business ventures he now is involved in. This is a story of a Mum and her son, fighting a massive injustice not only towards her son and his education, but those of hundreds of thousands that are educated every day, over here in Australia.


This, Topekan, is my story... i am now a very strong and vocal child advocate, in a very broad spectrum of areas involving children and students, disabled and learning difficultied students, domestic violence, women's and childrens welfare issues, and oh so much more.

To those that believe things get righted all on their own, you are very sadly mistaken. For those that feel any injustice simply gets fixed on it's own accord, you are wrong. for those that think accountability is as simple as owning up or even being forced to face the wrongs done and being 'outed' is easy, you are also terribly misinformed. Everything has a price and a cost, and it doesn't always involve a monetry amount neither. YES, there are those that make their living and their careers, on such harm done to others, and do not speak out of line, as a direct result. To do so, is to cut ones own throats and to bring others out into the open - it is called self preservation.

So, yes, i believe much of the redress and accountability involved in this wm3 case, is going to see many a bunch of worms wiggling and ponting of fingers, and even those may be sacrificed as scapegoats or excuses. Just who will be the ones, is the actual question.... and, whether it will ever truely be made public in it's entirety, is also questionable...